This is the fourth year running for the Pacific slope flycatcher to call the   garage door motor home. First noticed she was back April 9, 2013. Here they are protected from other birds (bluejays) that destroyed their nest when it was created  on the top of the light fixture at the front door. I noticed four years ago it was in the garage creating its nest and so I took one of windows out of the garage door so it can fly in and out when it needs to. It does not seem to be disturbed by the sound of the motor when the door is opened and closed although I do talk to her letting her know I am opening and closing it...and I greet her in the morning and say good night!

Nestling flycatchers. Photo taken April 28, 2013...waiting for the latest treat of flies or other flying insects from their mother. They grow fast..before you know it, they will have flown the coop! Will take pictures and post them as I can...Last year there were two clutches of flycatchers born and fledged.

The Pacific slope flycatcher flies to the lowlands of western and southern Mexico for the winter. Clearing of understory habitat degrades their needs for suitable habitat.

Watershed Arts ~ Bioregional Imagination ~ Ecological Imagination... Ways of connecting to the place where you live through  music, visual arts, gardening, food/cooking, architecture...any form of art that engages you with the natural world and brings you into that world and by doing so, you gain an increasing appreciation for the systems that support all life.

Just listened to an interview on the Diane Rehm show with David Rothenberg who plays music with animals. His latest foray is playing with cicadas. His book Bug Music: How Insects gave us Rhythm and Noise recounts that time along with a CD. Listen to the interview and CD excerpts here. Other books David Rothenberg has written are Why Birds Sing and Survival of the Beautiful. You can learn more about his work here.

I attended the TEDx Monterey event this past weekend, a full day of stimulating ideas and heartfelt presentations.

Some themes from the day's presentations:

Commitment no matter what.

Stand by who you are.

Commitment - a new idea in today's world of instant gratification.

Things that we can't create, such as trees, see them as sacred.

Storied Landscapes on the one hand and on the other hand, the need to recognize that Home resides in People when they don't have a Land they can go back to.

Stories lead to empathy and embodied empathy creates a compassion to help. Compassion comes from unexpected places and times.

Slow down.

Listen.

Growing food is art, a fabric that can be grown. We are the soil. We need to change the fabric of our community. How can we change the composition of our soil if it isn't growing what we need?

Creativity is the highest form of expression we need in this world.

What are the  best five minutes of your life?

The natural world provides a perfect learning ground and fosters curiosity.

Ask questions.

Re-envision a different world at the grassroots.

Ignore hierarchy.

Learn in groups.

Use networks.

Create for the common good, something bigger than the group itself.

Lead Out!

A day of learning about the ocean, affects of climate change on the ocean ecosystem, how watersheds are connected to the ocean, actions to take to help the oceans...It's all connected. 

Thank you to Robin Robinson, also a presenter with her underwater photography, for connecting me with Ron Provost, organizer of the symposium.

Click here for a description of the day.

Our earth mother
Dear one we love you
we are sorry
Thank you, Blessings